Filtering apparatus



Dec. 13, 1927. 1,652,173 J. D. LALOR FILTERING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18. 1925 '2 Shgets-Sheet .2

INVENTOR: hm llLaglol;

TORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J'AIES D. LALOB, O1 BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE LALOB IUEL OIL SYSTEM COMPANY, INC., 01' BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION 01' MARY- LAND.

FILTERING APPARATUS.

Application filed February is, 1925. Serial m. 10,046.

This invention relates to filtering a paratus, more particularly to a type mten ed for continuous operation in 'filtering a steady flow of fluid. One instance exemplifying a 6 practical use ofsuch an apparatus is in ponnection with oil burning systems whereln it is of the utmost importance that all solid or congealed suspensions be removed from the oil before the same is fed to the burners so as to preclude clogging of their dlscharge orifices.

My present invention is directed toward provision of a filtering apparatus of the character referred to comprising a number of independent component filter units capable of selective use so that at least one of them may always be maintained available for service and substituted for another needing cleaning after extensive service.

My invention is further concerned with improvements in the filter units themselves calculated to facilitate filtration by preheating of the fluid to lower its viscosity; as well as with provisions enabling such filtration 2 to be carried on in successive stages by passage of the fluid through a series of filter elements with progressively-graduated mterstices.

A further object is to secure the advantages noted in the preceding paragraph 1n a structure that is amply sturdy to withstand fluid flow under high pressures, and ex tremely compact, yet with its constituent parts readily accessible and removable for cleaning or replacement.

In the drawingsFig. I is a plan view of a filtering apparatus conveniently embodyin my invention.

Tig. II is a. front elevation of the organization.

Fig. III is a sectional elevation on a larger In the typical embodiment illustrated, the filtering apparatus of my invention is shown as characterized by a number of vertical filter units each comprehensively designated 10. These units 10 are mounted upon hollow pedestals 11 that are in turn supported on a common base late 12 having an upstanding perimetric fihnge 13 so as to be serviceable as a drip pan to catch any leakage from the units 10, or the pipin connections to them. In view of the fact t at the units 10 are of identical construction, I will describe but one of them in detail with the understanding that such description equally applies to the other, thereby avoiding unnecessary repetition in referring tothe various similar constituent parts.

WVith reference for the time bein to Fi III, it will be observed that the casing bo y of the unit 10 is constructed in twoparts. The lower or main section 14 is generally cylindric, having a closed bottom from which extend radially a. series of supporting feet 15, and an open top with an outwardlyprojecting head flange 16. The upper or auxiliary casing section 17 is of lesser vertical depth than the main section 14 but configured cylindrically to form a direct continuation of the latter. This auxiliary section 17 has a flange 18 about its bottom end to correspond with the flange 16 0f the main section 14, as well as a flange 19 about its top for reception of a cover 20, the several parts being detachably secured together by screw bolts 21. The fluid to be filtered is introduced through a lateral port 22 in the auxiliary section 17 to flow downward in the closed vertical chamber 23 afforded jointly b the casing parts, while it discharges t rough an axial port 24 in the bottom of the main section 14.

Within its hollow, the main casing section 14 accommodates a pack of basket-like filtering elements 25 which are exactly identical in form but graduated as to size so as to be internesting with rovision at the same time, of ample fluid ow intervals 26 between their respective sidesv and bottoms, as well as like spaces between the outermost one of the group and the contiguous cylindric wall and base of the casing 14. Each of these filter elements 25 comprises a skeletonized frame-27 (see Fig. V) with an upper ring 28, an intermediate ring 29, and a bottom spider 30, all of which are united to form a unita integral structure by a series of spa verticals 31, whereof one indicated 31 is-in each instance-perforated along opposite side edges as shown, for a purpose to be presently explained. This skeleton frame 27 serves as a rigid backing for a foraminous linin 32 such for example as wire mesh or per orated metal, the same being fashioned from sheet material of such len th as to form, upon bending, a cylinder of t e proper size with the ends of the sheet abutting. In assemblin the butt juncture is aligned with the media of the frame vertical 31 (see Fig. VI), a flat lapping strip 33 applied thereover, and the parts permanently secured together by rivets or other fastening means 34 taking into the apertures of said vertical 31. Disks 35, likewise of reticulate material, are employed to form the bottoms of the baskets 25, the same beingin each instance-secured to the spider of the frame 27 b a clamp ring 36 and rivets 37 as shown in ig. III. Although I have described the linings of the baskets as being of similar material I prefer, for the pur ose of securing progressive or stagewise fitration, screenings differing in mesh or size of interstices, the coarsest being used for the inner basket, the finest for the outer, and

ated for the intermediate one or ones-as t e case may be-in accordance with the size of the unit.

The relative allocation of the several filtering elements or baskets 25 is determined by peri heral flanges 38 about the upper rings 28 0? the frames 27 the flange of one seating in a corresponding circular recess in the top of another as clearly shown in Fi III, and the flange of the outermost has et on an internal recessed circumferential led e 40 in the main casing section 14 at a level s ight- 1y below the top thereof. As a means to protect the to rim of the lining 32 of the innermost bas et 25 against the direct action of the fluid flow from above, and at the same time assist securing the lining to its rame 27, I employ a flange annulus 41 equi ped with a depending lapping bead 42 and a apted to rest in the circular recess 39 of said frame. By such interfitting as between the flanges 38 and recesses 39, as well as with regard to the annulus 41, I secure a flush top for the entire pack assemblage devoid of an projections resistive to fluid flow except or the cap screws 43 used in securin these parts one to another and to the casing section 14. Downward axial projections 44 on the bottom spiders 30 of the frames 27 function as struts to assist, by cooperation with a sustainin bar 45 across the outlet port 24 of the casing section 14, to support the elements 25 against downward ressure of the fluid fiow. Particular attention is directed to the arrangement of tribution of the flow is secured to the avoidance of premature clogging of the screen linings 32. I

Disposed in the clear space forming the upper part of the chamber 23 above the pack 0 filtering elements 25, is a heating means in the form of a steam coil 46 with its convolutions so arranged as to ex ose the maximum surface to the flow of the fluid. The terminals 47, 48 of the coil are flared as at 49 and respectively anchored in axially apertured bosses 50, 51 of the cover 20 by means of niplple nuts 52 in the conventional manner s own. The coil 46 is otherwise supported in suspension with the assistance of a pair of underlying cross bars 53 hung by drop rods 54 from the cover 20. By virtue of attachment to the cover 20, the heating coil 46 is removable with the latter, thereby rendering the pack of filtering elements 25 directly accessible from above. By removing the bolts 43 which hold the outermost element 25 to the casing 14, the whole pack may be withdrawn as a unit, and the elements thereafter successively separated as may be required from time to time to clean out the accumulated solid matter trapped from the passing fluid.

In operation of the filter unit, the fluid continuously entering the chamber 23 through the port 22, first encounters the steam coil 46 bein thereby effectively heated and its viscosity l owered to facilitate filtration. In assing downward in the chamber 23, the fluid first enters the innermost filtering basket 25 whereby the coarser suspended matter is trapped, and, in itsfurther progress, successively encounters the finer screen linin s 32 ofthe remaining baskets 25 before discharging through the outlet port 24, being thus cleansed of solid foreign substances or congealed suspensions. It is to be remarked that the auxiliary section 17 serves merely to provide an extension in the form of a clear space for accommodation of the coil 46. Obviously, in instances when heating of the fluid is not essential, the auxiliary section 17 and the coil 46 may be entirel dispensed with and the cover 20 secure directly to the top flange 16 of the main casing section 14.

The construction and operation of the individual filter units 10 being new thoroughly understood, I will next proceed to describe the manner in which they are grouped and connected to enable interchangeable use vin the complete organization illustrated in Figs. I and II. The fluid inlets 22 of the unit casings 10 are, accordingly, coordinated new, 118

familiar with apparatus of this. sort. The

terminals 47,48 of the steam coils 46 in the filter units are likewise. and for identical reasons connected in parallel by valved pi in 60, 61 for communication with supp y anl return mains 62, 63 respectively. With these dual provisions, one of the units 10 may be maintained in condition and availsity for at any able for substitution in place of theother requiring either cleaning or replacement of any of its parts, thereby obviating the necestime shutting down the systemof whic the apparatus constitutes a art. J

aving thus described my invention, I claim:

.1. A fluid filtering apparatus comprising a number of independent vertical cylindric filtering units, said units including heating means above the filtering units and having inlets and outlets at the upper and lower ends, manifolds respectively connecting said inlets and outlets to flow and return mains, similar manifolds connecting the termiiials of the heating means, and valves enabling said1 filtering units to be interchangeably use 2. A fluid filtering apparatus character-' ized by component'units each comprising a casing afl'ording a flow chamber for the fluid, and a multiplicity of foraminous internesting basket-like filtering elements having co-axial supporting struts disposed in the fluid flow within each casing, and said elements being allocated by peripheral flanges fitting in corresponding clrcumferential recesses so as to resent a flush top. w

3. A fluid ltering apparatus characterized by component units each comprising superposed components, the upper of which sustains heating means while the lower affords a filtering chamber for the fluid,'and a multiplicit of removable inter-nesting foraminous ltering elements having coaxial supporting struts disposed in the fluid flow within the casing, the interstices of said elements being graduated for pro ressive filtration of the flow, and the a oresaid struts co-o erative with a sustaining bar across the ter outlet. 4. A fluid filtering apparatus characterized by component units each com rising superposed components, the upper 0 which sustains heating means while the lower affords a filtering chamber for the fluid, and v a multiplicity of removable foraminous basket-like filtering elements having 00- axial su porting struts disposed in the fluid flow wit in the casing, sa1d elements varymg insize soas to be inter-nestin with provision of flow intervals'between t eir res ective side walls and bottoms, and the a oresa1d struts alignedly co-operating with. a sustaining bar acrossthe filter casing outlet. 5. A fluid filtering apparatus characterized by component units each comprisin superposed components, the up er of whic sustains heating means while t e lower affords a filtering chamber for the fluid, a multiplicity of removable foraminous basketlike filtering elements dis osed in the fluid flow within the casing, sai elements varying in size so as to be inter-nesting with provision of flow intervals between their respective side walls and bottoms, and having depending projections forming bracing struts between their respective bottoms and the base of said chamber.

6. A'fluid filtering apparatus comprising component units each comprising a casing affording a flow chamber for the fluid,'and a multiplicity of removable inter-nestin basket-like filter elements each compose of a skeletonized outer frame with spaced horizontal rings and integral connecting verticals, a lining formed of foraminous sheet material with the edges of the material abuttingalong the medlal of one of the frame members aforesaid, and a strip to overlap the butt joint for securing the ining to the frame member.

7. A fluid filtering apparatus characterized by com onent units each comprising a casing afl'or in a flow chamber for the fluid, and a mu tiplicity of removable internesting basket-like filtering elements each com sed of a skeletonized outer frame mem er with spaced horizontal rings, integral connecting verticals and integral deending projections forming bracing struts tween their respective bottoms and the base of the chamber, and a lining of foraminous sheet material attached within the skeleton frame of each of said elements.

8. A fluid filtering apparatus characterized by com onent units each comprising a casing afior in a flow chamber for the fluid, and a m tiplicity of removable internesting. foraminous basket-like filtering elements each having at the top .a lateral pro- 'ecting circumferential flange and at the ottom a co-axial supportin strut,'the flange of the outermost element 0 the group resting upon a recessed annular shoulder within the casing, with the flange of each of the others in a corresponding recess in the top of the next adjacent element so as to present a flush top surface, and the aforesaid struts complerating with a sustaining bar across the ter casing outlet.

9. A fluid filtering apparatus characterized by component filter units each com risin superposed components djointly afior ing a flow chamber for the flui in combination with a removable heating means and removable inter-nested filter means disposed in the flow of the fluid within the chamber, said heating means being located within the flow chamber above the filter means, and wholly supported by a removable cover for said flow chamber.

10. A fluid filtering apparatus characterized by component filter units each comprisin superposed components jointly affording a ow chamber for the fluid, in combination with inter-nested filtering means disposed in the flow of the fluid in the lower part of the casin and a heating means supported wholly within a clear space above the filtering means and removably carried by the cover of said flow chamber.

11. A fluid filtering apparatus character ized by component fi tering units each comprising a casin aflordin a flow chamber for the fluid, and aving a detachable cover, in combination with filtering means disposed in the lower part of the casing, and heating means in a clear space above the filtering means, said heating means being supported by the cover aforesaid so as to be removable therewith to afiord direct access to the filtering means.

12. A fluid filterin apparatus characterized by component fi termg units each comprising a casm afiordin a flow chamber for the fluid and avin a detachable cover, in combination with tering means disposed in the lower part of the casing, a steam heating coil in a clear space above the filterin element, and means for supporting the C01 in suspension from the cover so as to be removable therewith.

13. A fluid filterin ized by component tenng units each comprising a casing with a main vertical section having a closed bottom and open top, an auxiliary section surmounting the bottom section, and a detachable cover cappin the auxiliary section forming jointly a c osed flow chamber for the fluid in combination with a foraminous basket-like filter means accommodated with capacity for ready' removal in the lower section of the casin a. heating coil in the clear space afforded by the auxiliary section, and means for supporting the coil in suspension from the easin cover so as to be removable therewith in affording access to said filtering element.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this 13th day of February 1925.

JAMES D. LALOR.

apparatus character-i 

